Dogs for Rent: Man’s Best Friend or “Four-Legged Escorts”?

FlexPetz, a dog rental company, faced so much resistance from lawmakers and animal activists as its business expanded that it has been forced to shut down in the United States.

When Boston officials discovered FlexPetz’s plan to open a location in the city, the City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting dog rentals. Trainer Ray McSoley said, “Dogs need stability in their lives, they need a long-term commitment, and they need a secure environment.” McSoley called FlexPetz a “four-legged escort service.”

FlexPetz CEO Marlena Cervantes argued differently: “These dogs are in need of homes … They are happy to not be caged up, to receive top veterinary care, to be regularly groomed, to be active, and to be playing with other dogs."

The company targeted urban professionals interested in canine companionship but lacking the space or time to fully commit to dog ownership. All pets came from shelters or families who cannot keep them. Each dog was screened for a month before being accepted into the rental program. Prospective FlexPetz members were interviewed, screened for a history of animal abuse and had a credit check. Each renter underwent a training session and was debriefed on the personality and needs of his or her dog.

One renter said, “I feel like I’m being a more responsible pet owner by doing this and not leaving a dog at home alone. I was a bit leery at first, and I had my questions. But I'm definitely going to stay a member.” However, renters will soon have to look elsewhere for their doggy love: in response to the legislation, Cervantes has decided to close down the U.S. and British branches of FlexPetz. Cervantes previously announced plans to expand FlexPetz into other countries, including France and Japan, where pet renting is already an accepted practice.

FlexPetz’s rapid expansion in the United States prompted lawmakers to question the ethics of pet rentals, and eventually, help shut down at least part of the business. According to Newsweek, Mass. State Rep. Paul Frost, a dog owner who introduced a bill banning pet rental companies in the state, “says the business model promotes the idea of ‘disposable pets.’ As a Republican in a blue state, Frost rarely seeks such measures restricting commercial expansion, but said this case was exceptional. ‘I am not against business growth or the entrepreneurial spirit … But there is an ethical line you have to keep in mind.’”

Boston city officials and animal rights activists believed that FlexPetz promoted an irresponsible attitude towards pets and took steps to prevent the company from opening a location in the city. The Boston Globe explains the rental process: prospective FlexPetz members underwent an evaluation and credit check. “Next comes a meeting with a trainer who familiarizes the renter with his or her dog of choice and explains the dog's habits, routines, and commands,” The Globe explained. Dogs usually came from shelters or families unable to care for them. Each animal was observed for a month to determine stability before becoming a rental dog. At four years old, the dogs were put up for adoption.

FlexPetz targeted to urban professionals who travel frequently and who had little space and time for a pet during the work week. According to ABC News, FlexPetz tapped into the “transumer” market segment. “These are consumers who want the taste of a certain lifestyle or experience. People with little time or space can stake a claim in pricey, high-maintenance items such as yachts, exotic cars and small planes for occasional use.” Animal activists have criticized the transient nature of pet rentals. Gale Buchwald of the ASPCA asserted that dogs who don’t form a strong bond with one family ban become “aloof and self destructive.”

FlexPetz is geared towards busy professionals who long for the companionship of dogs, but who lack the time to care for one fully. According to the company Web site, FlexPetz is “a unique opportunity to provide rescue dogs or dogs that need a new home with a carefree, loving environment.” The site offers profiles and medical histories of several of the canines previously available for rental.

Japan also has a booming rent-a-pet business, which started nearly a decade ago. Japan has about 23 million domestic dogs and cats, “But a shortage of space and apartment regulations banning animals are fueling the demand for part-time pets,” U.K. paper The Daily Telegraph reports. According to the piece, one Tokyo store rents and sells more than “300 dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, tortoises and even squirrels—which are popular pets in Japan. Mayumi Kitamura, the rental manager, said: ‘People in Japan work very hard and renting a pet can make them feel less lonely.’”